Ballarat will ring in the 2018 cycling year with the 2018 RoadNats to feature an invigorating line up of new categories, community events, activities and participation opportunities for all cyclists and cycling fans.

The Championships will welcome two new categories with Australia’s best U19 and Para-cyclists set to join the U23 and elite in the battle for the coveted green and gold jersey in January.

Australia’s club riders will also be able to get involved in the action with the additions of the new Club Teams Time Trial Championships and National Team Relay, while novice cyclists and fans will have a chance to immerse themselves in the atmosphere with a host of new rides and activities, including a twilight festival.

Summary

U19 and Para-cycling categories to be included in Championships’ schedule

Criteriums to begin at midday with elite racing to feature under lights

Time trial across two days (Thursday & Friday) with elite now showcased on Friday

Introduction of Club Teams Time Trial Championships and National Team Relay

New Community Rides including Community Criterium (Wednesday) and Buninyong Recreational Ride (Sunday)

Community Festival on Saturday night

Buninyong party and village market to celebrate the road races on the weekend

An open-air film evening in the Buninyong Botanic Gardens

“With now less than 150 days to go until the 2018 Road Nationals, we are eagerly anticipating one of the most exciting Championships ever seen,” said Cycling Australia CEO Nicholas Green OAM.

“As we begin a new three-year deal with the City of Ballarat, we are looking forward to building on the Championships’ already great reputation as one of Australian sport’s premier events.

“While the week showcases some of the best cyclists in the world as they battle race for the green and gold jersey, it has truly become a festival of cycling for all.

“There will be so many opportunities for cycling fans and avid cyclists to soak up the atmosphere in the same way as the professional riders.

“From club and family events, local community festivals and more, Ballarat will be buzzing in January and we couldn’t think of a better way to bring in the new year,” concluded Green.

City of Ballarat Mayor Samantha McIntosh is looking forward to another successful Road Nationals.

“The Cycling Australia Road National Championships at Ballarat has emerged as a premier event on the cycling calendar and the City of Ballarat, with Cycling Australia, are excited to grow and expand on what has already brought significant economic and social benefits to our region,” said McIntosh.

“Next year marks the twelfth consecutive year the Cycling Australia Road National Championships has been staged in Ballarat, and as a city we are proud of our role in building international recognition of this popular event which brings thousands of people to Ballarat each summer.

“We now look forward to witnessing what the next three years of exciting competition and new opportunities the five-day event brings to Ballarat,” McIntosh added.

The Championships begins in Wednesday afternoon sun with a midday start to a blockbuster day of criterium racing on the streets of the Ballarat CBD. All categories will feature, including a new Community Crit for local families, with the day’s festivities to culminate in the elite stars racing under lights.

Buninyong will come to life with two days of the truest of all cycling tests, the time trials. Thursday will feature the Para and U19 categories, while an all new fantastic Friday line up will see the U23 and elite feature in addition to a new Clubs Team event.

Also on Friday, the Road titles will be decided in the Para-cycling categories.

The famous Mt Buninyong circuit will host the weekend’s action, beginning with the U19 and U23 road races on Saturday, with the entire community invited to soak up a twilight festival under lights, featuring a host of community events.

The Championships will finish with a bang on Super Sunday with the elite road races and an all new community recreational ride.